Chinese space agency urges US to ‘remove obstacles’ for lunar rock sample cooperation

The Vice-Administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Bian Zhigang, emphasized the importance of removing obstacles in Sino-US space cooperation. The Wolf Amendment, a US law passed in 2011, prevents direct space collaboration with China without explicit Congressional approval.

Despite this, China successfully conducted the Chang’e-6 lunar probe mission, collecting samples from the moon’s far side. Plans for the Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions include surveying the moon’s south pole and building an international lunar research base.

The CNSA is open to collaboration with international scientists and has already signed agreements with more than 10 countries for the lunar research base project. Bian expressed eagerness to expand human knowledge and promote unity in space exploration.